Billy Ray Cyrus: ‘Tweet was not about Miley’

Country star Billy Ray Cyrus has cleared up confusion about a tweet he posted online on Monday, insisting he had the problems in Syria on his mind, not his daughter’s controversial MTV Video Music Awards routine.

The singer’s kid hit the headlines after she “twerked” her way through a performance with Robin Thicke wearing nothing but rubber underwear, a giant foam hand and a smile, and, at one point grinded her backside into her stage partner’s crotch while making inappropriate gestures to the audience.

(Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for MTV)

Hours after the VMAs aired, upsetting members of the conservative Parents Television Council – of which Billy Ray is a board member – Miley’s dad tweeted, “Thanking God for so many blessings tonight. Continue to pray for world peace. More love… less hate.”

Thanking God for so many blessings tonight. Continue to pray for world peace. More love …less hate.

Fans felt sure he was defending his daughter’s raunchy routine, but he has since added, “FYI ‘Love Not Hate’ Late last night I was watching devastating news out of Syria. Chemical weapons used on innocent children is unacceptable!”

FYI”Love Not Hate”Late last night I was watching devastating news out of Syria. Chemical weapons used on innocent children is unacceptable!